Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Recoil Starter, briggs stration, recoil starter

Question
I have a 21" walk-behind Troy-Bilt with a Briggs & Stration
motor and a recoil starter. I was trying to get it started
by pulling on the rope. The rope recoiled and I can't
pull it out to get the engine started. Where do I go from
here. I have no experience with working on small engines.

Answer
Is the rope caught between the starter pulley and the starter housing?  Have you removed the top engine metal starter housing and inspected the starter?  You have have to remove the fuel tank to remove the engine starter housing depending on you engine model.

Here is a link for starter repairs:

http://www.lawn-mower-shop.com/

Read the Briggs and Tecumseh rope starter repair to see which starter design you have.

Let me know if this helps.
Eric